SHUFFLING ‘CARDS’: One of the big differences between HBO and Netflix is that HBO tends to own the programs it airs, while Netflix doesn’t–including the original series like House of Cards the online outlet has become famous for. The downside of that, for Netflix, became apparent on Monday when Comcast struck a deal with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment for the rights to sell the first season of House of Cards through Comcast’s cable service, Variety reports. The deal is part of Comcast’s effort to offer more programs for sale–a valuable business for movie studios. Sony was on the other side of the deal because the company had global distribution rights for the series, which was made by Media Rights Capital. While it’s doubtful the opportunity to buy the series would affect Netflix’s subscriber count–the per-episode cost of $1.99 doesn’t compare well with Netflix’s $7.99 monthly fee–it does highlight how Netflix is leaving money on the table by not having secured ownership of the show. HBO makes a lot of money from sales of its TV shows in various venues.

BREAKING:Comcast reported a 26% jump in profit on sales growth in all of its business segments for the fourth quarter. The cable operator further reported subscriber growth in its video business after a more than six-year streak of declines.

DIGITAL SHAKEOUT: In past months, rarely a week has gone by without another new online news company launching with plans for niche-focused content or offering a new way of reaching audiences on social media or mobile devices. The increasingly crowded market is prompting warnings of a bubble, WSJ reports, as more players compete for ad dollars and grapple with automated ad buying–a trend that has sharply reduced the prices of online display ads. More in the full post.Read More »

In the latest addition to a series of stories on ESPN, New York Times explores how the TV sports giant is defending itself against potential legislation, pushback from pay-TV operators, new competition and the emergence of web-based TV alternatives. As ESPN President John Skipper tells the paper: “This is the most complicated environment we’ve faced in a long time.” ESPN is working hard to maintain its living room hegemony, from lobbying in Washington to acquiring new rights and conducting audience research. But amid ongoing questions about cord cutting, Skipper acknowledged that “big numbers don’t have to flee the system to have a profound effect on ESPN.”

VIDEO MUSIC “AWARDS”:

Ratings for MTV’s Video Music Awards on Sunday were up 66% from a year earlier, when the network faced competition from a speech provided by President Barack Obama, LA Times notes. Last year’s performance, of course, didn’t include creepy dancing teddy bears and an overtly sexualized performance by Miley Cyrus that generated a storm of criticism on Twitter and discussions on shows like “Today.” More in the full post. Read More »